Speaking Points
for
the Honourable Diane Finley
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
to announce
Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot funding
to Immigrant Access Fund Society of Alberta
August 1, 2012
Calgary, Alberta
Thank you for that kind introduction.
And thank you to the Immigrant Access Fund Society of Alberta for hosting us today and for everything you do to help newcomers make a successful transition into the job market.
The results of the most recent census, released earlier this year, are showing us just how quickly our country is changing.
Since 2006, our population has grown by almost 2 million people. And two-thirds of those people were immigrants.
By 2031, it’s estimated that immigrants will account for more than 80% of Canada’s overall population growth. And they are moving to cities in the west, like Calgary, for good reasons.
They’re going where the jobs are.
Our Government’s top priorities are job creation and economic growth and we recognize that internationally trained professionals help fill skills shortages in key occupations.
We have to tap into their potential, especially here in the west where there are labour shortages in many industries.
By partnering with organizations like the Immigrant Access Fund Society of Alberta to help internationally trained professionals find meaningful work, we are working together for Canada’s long-term prosperity.
The reality is that too many Canadians with international training are doing jobs that are far below their real abilities.
Why?
Because many of them have a hard time getting their credentials recognized. For example, many have to go through further training, examinations or re-certification.
But that comes with a hefty price tag.
A small loan can make a world of difference to a newcomer - or to a Canadian who’s recently graduated from an international education program.
It can reduce some of the financial barriers that get in the way of obtaining Canadian credentials and a licence to work in their field.
In Canada’s Economic Action Plan, we promised to help internationally trained professionals cover the costs of having their credentials recognized.
In February of this year, we delivered on this commitment and announced the launch of the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot project. Our Government is investing $18 million until March 31, 2014, in this initiative.
Today, I am pleased to announce that the Immigrant Access Fund Society of Alberta is receiving more than $3.3 million for its microloans project.
Through this project, IAF Alberta will provide financial assistance to internationally trained professionals so they can become licensed to get jobs in their fields.
Our investment will enable IAF to provide over 300 more loans over the next two years.
IAF will also expand its employment counseling and credential assessment services to smaller and rural communities.
IAF Alberta is one of several partners in the Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot.
Similar projects have already been announced in B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario. Combined, these projects are expected to help over a thousand more internationally trained professionals put their knowledge and skills to work sooner.
The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans Pilot is part of a larger strategy to help internationally trained professionals succeed in Canada and complements the significant investments that the Government of Canada has made in recent years to help new Canadians succeed.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government invested $50 million to work with the provinces and territories and key stakeholders to improve foreign credential recognition.
This partnership led to the implementation of a national Framework that is speeding up foreign credential recognition for priority occupations, such as engineers and nurses.
I’m proud to say that workers in eight target occupations can now expect to have their qualifications assessed within one year.
The one-year service standard applies across the country.
This is a great achievement.
In Economic Action Plan 2012, our Government announced support for further improvements to foreign credential recognition and will continue to work with partners to identify more target occupations under the Framework.
We are making real progress toward a fairer, more transparent, timely and consistent system.
By creating more opportunities for internationally trained workers, we enable them to contribute to the economy, in their trained profession. It’s good for companies who need workers – it’s good for internationally trained professionals – and it’s good for our economy.
This is the essence of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. More choices. More opportunities. More jobs. And a prosperous future for Canadians.
Thank you.
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